Issue 19 | 30.05.2024

Despite the promising potential of Mobile Robots, several obstacles hinder a much higher business growth of this industry. High costs, lengthy implementation times, and market fragmentation are just some of the key issues. The following article provides an overview of reasons that are keeping the industry away from growing with way more than 10% per year:  

1. High Costs per Device

• Prices still too expensive.
• Mid and low-cost markets unattractive.
• Need for lower-cost, simpler models.

2. Inexperienced Customers

• Lack of knowledge about automation technologies.
• Understanding physical processes with automation.
• Few educational opportunities on mobile robots.

3. Long Implementation Times

• Setup and stabilization take too long.
• Involvement of suppliers in every rollout.
• Need for faster, simpler deployment processes.

4. Need for Customization

• Not a plug-and-play solution.
• Extensive customization required for each site.
• Providers often double as project managers.

5. Market Fragmentation

• Numerous small vendors.
• Few global, standardized providers.
• Complex and overwhelming choices for customers.

6. Infrastructure Requirements

• Needs strong Wi-Fi coverage.
• Floors must be even and well-maintained.
• Adequate aisle widths necessary.

7. Limited Industry Standards

• Different vendors' robots don’t recognize each other.
• Emerging standards like VDA 5050 still maturing.
• Need for interoperability and common mapping.

Conclusion:

The Mobile Robots industry holds significant promise for transforming logistics and automation, yet its growth is constrained by several critical obstacles. High costs, extensive implementation times, and market fragmentation are among the primary challenges. To unlock the industry's full potential and boost growth, strategic actions must be taken, including improving industry standards, fostering customer education, and streamlining deployment processes. Addressing these issues through collaborative efforts from customer and provider side is essential for driving the next wave of growth in the Mobile Robots sector.